Means for moving a television screen

ABSTRACT

A transporting device for periodically moving a television screen over a prescribed path while presenting the viewing surface to the observer thereby providing relief of eyestrain.

United States Patent Pennar May 28, 1974 [54] MEANS FOR MOVING ATELEVISION 2,417,446 3/1947 Reynolds i78/6.5 SCREEN 3,335,217 8/1967Basselt l78/6.5 3,371,155 2/1968 Anderson. 178/65 Inventor: Leonard J-Pennar, 3623 3,542,948 11/1970 Wolff 178/65 Cermak Rd., Chicago, HI.60623 [22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1972 Primary Examiner-Howard W. Britton l N0 788 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kinzer, Plyer, Dom & [2]] McEachran {52]US. Cl 178/7.81, l78/7.8, 178/79 51 Int. Cl H04 5/64, H04n 5/655 [57] If 15s 1 Field of Search 178/781, 7.8, 7.9, 6.5 A -p s devlce forPenodwally movmg a telewsion screen over a prescribed path whilepresenting 5 References Ci the viewing surface to the observer therebyproviding UNITED STATES PATENTS of eyestram- 2,361,390 10/1944 Ferrill178/65 ,11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAYZB I974 3 8 u I SHEEI 2u; 2 13,4

MEANS FOR MOVING A TELEVISION SCREEN SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention is in the field of television and is concerned with means forconstantly moving a television screen over a periodic path.

A primary object is a transporting device that provides constant motionfor a television screen.

Another object is a transporting device that moves a television set soas to provide the viewer with relief of eyestrain and relief of boredomoccasionally caused by watching a stationary television screen.

Another object is a transporting device that maintains the televisionscreen or other desired viewing surface toward the viewer or viewersduring its motion.

Another object is a transporting device that provides various viewerswith changes in distance and angles of vision of the television screenor viewed object in order to provide the relief mentioned above.

Another object is a transporting device that does not interfere with thetelevision set power cord or, where necessary, does provide power to thetelevision set.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuingspecification, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneembodiment of a transporting device for a television set;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with parts brokenaway;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a modified embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with parts brokenaway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Two basic embodiments ofa T.V. screen transporting device will be described although theinvention should not be limited to the precise structures shown. Asshown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the transporting device includes a-movableT.V. platform with a drive mechanism and an enclosure which supports theplatform throughout its motion. A television set is shown positioned onthe movable platform.

The enclosure 1 includes a front retaining wall 6, a rear retaining wall4, a base 2 with side walls 2a. A peripheral outside wall 8 surroundsthe various retaining walls. The tops of side walls 2a form tracks tosupport a T.V. platform 10. The platform is mounted on wheels 34 and 36which roll along the tracks on the tops of side walls 20. The wheelssupport the platform throughout its motion.

Mounted within the enclosure are a rear reversal trigger switch'l6, afront reversal trigger switch 18, a switchbox 14, a main control switch12 and various electrical cables explained in detail hereinafter. Apower cord 20 enters the enclosure and is routed to the main switch box14. Contained on the switchbox is a main power or on-off switch 12.Electrical cables 22 as shown in FIG. 2 connect the front and rearreversal trigger switches 16 and 18 to the main power switch box 14.Another electrical cord 40 connects the reversible electric motor 24 tothe main switchbox 14.

The T.V. platform includes moving and supporting means with variousparts. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 an electric motor 24 and a powertransfer box 26 are mounted projecting downward from the bottom of theplatform surface intothe enclosure. A drive shaft housing 28 extendsoutward from both sides of the power transfer box 26 spanning the widthof the enclosure. The drive shaft housing 28 contains a bearingsupported shaft on which drive wheels 36 are connected. T.V. platformbrackets 32 are mounted to the bottom of the T.V. platform at one endand rigidly fixed to the drive shaft housing 28 at the other end. Toprovide support for the back portion of the movable platform asupporting shaft housing 30 also containing a bearing supported shaft ismounted to the platform by additional support brackets 32. Supportwheels 34 are attached to the rear bearing supported shaft and travelalong the tracks of side walls 2a along with drive wheels 36. A plate 38may be located as shown in FIG. 2 on the rear edge of themovableplatform to facilitate pressure contact with one of the reversaltrigger switches during the motion of the platform.

In operation, the main switch 12 of the device is switched to the onposition. The switch box 14 delivers electrical power to the reversibleelectric motor 24 through power cord 40. A direction of rotation of thereversible motor 24 determined by switch box 14 will be in thatdirection of rotation exhibited when the device was switched off.Whether the motor 24 starts in one direction of rotation or another isunimportant because the direction of rotation will be changed uponcontacting either reversal trigger switch 16 or 18.

The rotational energy of the electric motor is coupled through powertransfer box 26 to the drive shaft within drive shaft housing 28. Thedrive wheels 36 will rotate along with the drive shafts since they aredirectly connected to the shaft. The drive wheels 36 rotate on thetracks of the tops of side walls 2a, thereby moving and supporting theT.V. platform. As the drive wheels 36 rotate, they exert rotationalforce through the platform on support wheels 34 which are free torotate. The bearing supported shaft to which the support wheels 34 areconnected rotates freely within housing 30. The drive wheels 36 willcontinue rotating in their present direction, for example, carrying theT.V. platform 10 forward toward front retaining wall 6 until the edge ofthe platform contacts reversal trigger switch 18.

Upon contact with switch 18, the switch contact closing will causeswitch box 14 to reverse the direction of electric motor 24. Through thetransfer box and drive shaft coupling, the rotation of the drive wheels36 will be reversed also carrying the platform 10 backwards. The drivewheels will now continue rotating carrying the platform rearward untilthe back edge surface of the platform contacts reversal trigger switch16. A pressure contact plate 38 may be used to facilitate properpressure contact with the reversal switch. When the reversal triggerswitch 16 is contacted, switch box 14 will reverse rotation of theelectric motor once again providing rotation of drive wheels 36 in adirection which causes the platform 10 to again travel in the forwarddirection. This forward to rearward travel and reversal of directionwill continue as long as the main switch 12 is in the on position.

Whenever the rear reversal trigger switch 16 is contacted, the switchbox 14 causes the electric motor to rotate in a direction that carriesthe platform 10 forward. Conversely, whenever the platform 10 contactsreversal trigger switch 18, the switch box 14 causes the motor to rotatein a reverse direction, carrying the platform rearwards towards the backsurface. The T.V. platform can then be seen from FIG. 1 to be travellingover a periodic path with its end point excursions determined by thefront and rear retaining walls of the device. A television set placed onthe platform as shown in FIG; 1 will also exhibit the same periodicmotion.

' Since the viewer is stationary, the position of the television screenwill be constantly changing, causing a continuous change in distancefrom the viewer to the television screen. If the television viewer isnot positioned directly in front of the device, there will also be acontinuous change in the angle of vision of the television viewer;

The transporting means of the device may be constructed so as to allowthe observer to select different rates of periodic motion of the T.V.platform and therefore the television screen. For example, a selectionof rates of travel from one to ten complete periods per minute might beselected to provide the desired relief for the individual. As thetelevision viewer follows the television screen with his eyes, his focusis continuously changing, thereby providing the" desired relief of eye-vstrain. I v

A second embodiment of a television transporting device is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The transporting device shown'includes a cylindricalenclosure 102 with base. 114, a drive means contained in the cylindricalbase portion, a large rotating turntable 58, a small T.V. platformturntablef60, and various drive couplings and bearings described indetail hereinafter.

The cylindrical base portion, which is the stationary enclosure for thedrive means, has a base portion 114, a retaining wall 102 and a fixedtable surface 88, all shown in FIG. 5. The drive means includes anelectric motor 94 and a power transfer box 96 which couples therotational energy of the motor to a suitable drive shaft 112. The driveshaft 112 extends through the fixed table surface 88 through a bearing110. The large turntable 58 is supported on top of the fixed tablesurface by several bearings shown as 64. The bearings allow the largeturntable 58 to rotate freely. The center of the large turntable 58 hasa central circular portion cut away. Inthis circular hole the fixed disc50 is attached to the fixed table surface 88. Attached to the fixed disc50 is a toothed sprocket 52. The drive shaft 112 which also passesthrough the fixed disc and sprocket wheel rotates independently of thefixed disc and sprocket due to bearing 110.

A T.V. platform turntable 60 in FIGS. 4 and 5 is supported at theoutside of the large turntable 58 by bearing 86 and gripping shaft axle56. The bearing 86 supports the weight of the T.V. platform turntablethrough axle 56, but allows the axle to rotate. A toothed sprocket wheel54 which is identical to 52 is attached to the axle shaft 56. The twotoothed sprockets 52 and 54 are mounted such that they are in the sameplane as shown in FIG. 5. The sprocket wheels are connected by apositive drive chain 66, whose function will be explained in detailhereinafter. The sprocket 54 and the T.V. platform turntable 60 rotatetogether because they are directly attached by drive shaft axle 56.

The drive shaft 112 extends beyond the fixed disc 50 and is connected toa drive arm 68 at 116. The driving arm extends from the drive shaft on aradius out to the gripping shaft axle 56 where it is free to turn inbearing 104. The driving arm68 exerts forces at bearings 104 and 86,causing the rotation of large turntable 58 as drive shaft 112 rotates.The T.V. platform turntable 60 moves with the larger turntable since itis fastened to the edge of the large turntable.

On a diameter opposite the T.V. platform, a counterweight 62 is locatedon the large turntable surface 58. The counterweight serves to balancethe device by offsetting the weight of the T.V. platform turntable 60and the television set placed on the T.V. platform. The counterweight 62may be constructed so as to allow weights to be added or deleted tobalance various loads.

Electrical switch 98 shown in FIG. 5 controls the power to the motor 94through cord 100. An external power source is connected to theelectrical switch 98.

' An electrical power outlet 72 is provided on the T.V.

platform to deliver power to the television set. Electri cal power isrouted to the power outlet by electrical cords 84, 74 and 92 and alsothrough several slip-ring and brush arrangements where required at theaxle 56 and the drive shaft 112. The brush units are shown as and 78 inFlG. 5. The associated slip-ring devices are shown as 76 and 80. Anexternal power cord 92 and electrical plug are provided to carry powerfrom an outside power source to the brush unit 70. A conduit 108 andconduit cap 118 may be provided for the power cable 92. The variouscords carrying power to the T.V. platform through the slip-rings andbrush arrangements are necessary to avoidentangling the television setpower cable in the apparatus of the device.

When the electrical power switch 98 is in the on position, the electricmotor 94 through power transfer box 96 causes the drive shaft 112 torotate. The rotation of the drive shaft 112 causes the attached drivingarm 68 to move in a periodic path sweeping out a circle. As the drivingarm 68 begins to rotate, it exerts force on the gripping shaft axle 56at bearing 104 which causes the gripping shaft axle to move in acircular path around the circular base enclosure 102. The force exertedon the axle 56 also causes a rotational circular force at bearing 86causing the large turntable 58 to rotate. The direction of rotation ofthe large turntable is shown in FIG. 4. The rotation could becounter-clockwise or clockwise, depending on the arrangement of thedrive mechanism and electric motor. The electric motor may be reversibleto enable the viewer to select the direction of rotation. In this case,the arrangement is such that the large turntable rotates in acounterclockwise direction. Since the gripping shaft axle 56 isconnected to the T.V. platform turntable 60 through the turntablesupport 82, the T.V. platform is also carried on a circular path aroundthe stationary enclosure. The driving arm 68 and the T.V. platformturntable 60 sweep out a path similar to the hand of a clock where theclock face would be the stationary table surface 88. The large turntable58 rotates freely because of its support bearings 64.

As the T.V. platform turntable moves around its circular path, it alsorotates clockwise around its own center as shown in FIG. 4 due tosprockets 52, S4 and the drive chain 66. The net effect of the rotationof the sprocket 54 about is own center and its rotational motion in apath that is the circumference of the base enclosure is to keep thesprocket 54 in identical orientation to sprocket 52. For example, at anyposition of travel during its periodic path, the sprocket 54 willexhibit no net rotational or angle change from thatof sprocket 52. Ifpositions of a 12 hour clock face were assigned on the sprockets 52 and54, the 12:00 oclock and all other positions would always be in the sameorientation for sprocket 54 as well as the fixed sprocket 52. Thisorientation is also true of the T.V. platform turntable 60 since it isdirectly attached to the sprocket 54.

The purpose of this orientation may be understood by imagining atelevision set placed on T.V. platform turntable 60. As the T.V.platform sweeps around the circumference in a counterclockwise directionand rotates about its own center clockwise, the same face of thetelevision set will always be in view no matter where the observer ispositioned around the circumference of the base enclosure. ln HO. 4 thenet effect of the combined rotations appears as though the T.V. platformis sliding around the circumference of thelarge turntable 58 with noapparent rotation or change in orientation from a fixed reference point.As the television set placed on the T.V. platform travels in itscircular periodic path, the observer can see the television screen inall positions of its movements. This is true as long as the televisionscreen faces the observer before rotation has started. As the T.V.platform turntable sweeps through its periodic path, the stationaryobserver must change the focus of his eyes as the television set changesits distance and angle of vision from the observer. This constantlychanging distance and angle of reference to the observer provides relieffrom eyestrain as opposed to the stationary television set. The electricmotor 94 and power transfer box 96 may be constructed so as to allowvariable speeds to be selected by the individual viewer to providemaximum eye relief. The various speeds might be in the range of one toten complete revolutions per minute.

Whereas the preferred forms of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it should be realized that there may be manymodifications, alterations and substitutions thereto.

I claim:

l. A device for supporting and continuously moving a television screen,a stationary enclosure having a generally rectangular shape, a platformincluding a plurality of wheels for supporting a television screen,tracks along two sides of said enclosure extending from front to rearproviding support for said moveable platform, said wheels rolling alongsaid tracks, means positioned within said enclosure for reciprocallymoving said platform in a linear path so as to place a television screenpositioned on the platform at different angles and distances from theeye of the viewer at different intervals of time, said wheels beingrotated by said moving means.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said means formoving said platform includes a reversible electric motor, a powertransfer box and a bearing supported shaft, said power transfer boxconverting rotational energy of said electric motor to rotation of saidbearing supported shaft, said bearing supported shaft connected to saidwheels, said wheels rotated by said bearing supported shaft, said wheelsmoving said platform along said tracks.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the enclosureincludes reversal trigger switches,

said reversal trigger switches mounted on the front and back insidesurfaces of said enclosure and determining the direction of rotation ofthe means for moving said platform.

4. A. device for supporting and continuously moving a television screenincluding a platform for supporting a television screen, means formoving said platform in a circular periodic path, means for maintainingthe orientation of the TV screen positioned on the platform essentiallyin a single direction, irrespective of movement of the platform, as theplatform is moved in said circular periodic path, whereby a viewer, in astationary position, can view the TV screen as it is moved in said path.

5. The structure of claim 4 further characterized by and including astationary enclosure, means on said enclosure providing support for saidmovable platform, the means for moving said platform being positionedwithin said enclosure.

6. The structure of claim 4 further characterized in that the saidenclosure is a generally cylindrical shape, said enclosure on its topsurface supporting a large turntable, said large turntable being free torotate and whose diameter is larger than the diameter of said enclosure.

7. The structure of claim 6 further characterized in that said largeturntable supports at its outer edge and above its surface a platform,said platform rotates freely about its own axis and supports thetelevision screen, said platform supported by a gripping shaft axle,said gripping shaft axle mounted in said large turntable but free torotate.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that said largeturntable includes means for counterbalancing the weight of saidplatform and a T.V. set positioned on said platform, said means forcounterbalancing including a counterweight, said counterweight mountedon said large turntable diametrically opposed to the mounting of saidgripping shaft axle of said platform.

9. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that said means formoving said platform includes an electric motor, a power transfer boxconnected to said electric motor, a drive shaft connected to said powertransfer box and a drive arm connected to said drive shaft, said powertransfer box converting the rotational energy of said electric motor torotation of said drive shaft, said drive shaft rotation converted toangular motion of said drive arm around the outer edge of saidcylindrical enclosure, said drive arm causing said gripping shaft axleto move around the outer edge of said cylindrical enclosure, saidgripping shaft axle moving said platform around the outer edge of saidcylindrical enclosure.

10. The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that said platformis rotated about its own axis by said gripping shaft axle, said grippingshaft axle being rotated by sprocket means, said sprocket meansincluding a first sprocket attached to said gripping shaft axle, asecond sprocket mounted to the fixed surface of the top of saidenclosure at the center of said enclosure and a continuous chainconnecting said first and second sprockets, said sprocket meansmaintaining a fixed angular orientation of said platform with respect tothe original axis of said platform as the platform travels about theoutside edge of said enclosure.

tween said first slipring and said electrical power outlet, said secondpair of slip-rings and brushes located at the junction of said drive armand said drive shaft, and a second piece of electrical cord routedbetween said second slip-ring and said first brush, a third piece ofelectrical cord routed from the said second brush to the outside of thedevice, said third piece of electrical cord connected to a plug, saidplug suitable for connecting to external power means.

272 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,813,491 Dated May 28, 1974 Invento1-( Leonard J. Penar It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On page 1 (two occurrences) the inventor's surname should be changed to"Penar".

Signedand sealed this 24th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A device for supporting and continuously moving a television screen,a stationary enclosure having a generally rectangular shape, a platformincluding a plurality of wheels for supporting a television screen,tracks along two sides of said enclosure extending from front to rearproviding support for said moveable platform, said wheels rolling alongsaid tracks, means positioned within said enclosure for reciprocallymoving said platform in a linear path so as to place a television screenpositioned on the platform at different angles and distances from theeye of the viewer at different intervals of time, said wheels beingrotated by said moving means.
 2. The structure of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that said means for moving said platform includes areversible electric motor, a power transfer box and a bearing supportedshaft, said power transfer box converting rotational energy of saidelectric motor to rotation of said bearing supported shaft, said bearingsupported shaft connected to said wheels, said wheels rotated by saidbearing supported shaft, said wheels moving said platform along saidtracks.
 3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that theenclosure includes reversal trigger switches, said reversal triggerswitches mounted on the front and back inside surfaces of said enclosureand determining the direction of rotation of the means for moving saidplatform.
 4. A device for supporting and continuously moving atelevision screen including a platform for supporting a televisionscreen, means for moving said platform in a circular periodic path,means for maintaining the orientation of the TV screen positioned on theplatform essentially in a single direction, irrespective of movement ofthe platform, as the platform is moved in said circular periodic path,whereby a viewer, in a stationary position, can view the TV screen as itis moved in said path.
 5. The structure of claim 4 further characterizedby and including a stationary enclosure, means on said enclosureproviding support for said movable platform, the means for moving saidplatform being positioned within said enclosure.
 6. The structure ofclaim 4 further characterized in that the said enclosure is a generallycylindrical shape, said enclosure on its top surface supporting a largeturntable, said large turntable being free to rotate and whose diameteris larger than the diameter of said enclosure.
 7. The structure of claim6 further characterized in that said large turntable supports at itsouter edge and above its surface a platform, said platform rotatesfreely about its own axis and supports the television screen, saidplatform supported by a gripping shaft axle, said gripping shaft axlemounted in said large turntable but free to rotate.
 8. The structure ofclaim 7 further characterized in that said large turntable includesmeans for counter-balancing the weight of said platform and a T.V. setpositioned on said platform, said means for counter-balancing includinga counterweight, said counterweight mounted on said large turntablediametrically opposed to the mounting of said gripping shaft axle ofsaid platform.
 9. The structure of claim 7 further characterized in thatsaid means for moving said platform includes an electric motor, a powertransfer box connected to sAid electric motor, a drive shaft connectedto said power transfer box and a drive arm connected to said driveshaft, said power transfer box converting the rotational energy of saidelectric motor to rotation of said drive shaft, said drive shaftrotation converted to angular motion of said drive arm around the outeredge of said cylindrical enclosure, said drive arm causing said grippingshaft axle to move around the outer edge of said cylindrical enclosure,said gripping shaft axle moving said platform around the outer edge ofsaid cylindrical enclosure.
 10. The structure of claim 9 furthercharacterized in that said platform is rotated about its own axis bysaid gripping shaft axle, said gripping shaft axle being rotated bysprocket means, said sprocket means including a first sprocket attachedto said gripping shaft axle, a second sprocket mounted to the fixedsurface of the top of said enclosure at the center of said enclosure anda continuous chain connecting said first and second sprockets, saidsprocket means maintaining a fixed angular orientation of said platformwith respect to the original axis of said platform as the platformtravels about the outside edge of said enclosure.
 11. The structure ofclaim 10 further characterized in that said enclosure includes anelectrical power outlet and means for supplying electrical power to aT.V. screen positioned on said platform, said electrical power outletmounted on said platform, said means for supplying electrical powerincluding two pairs of slip-rings and brushes, a plurality of electricalcords, and a plug, said first pair of slip-rings and brushes located atthe junction of the said driving arm and said gripping shaft axle, afirst piece of said electrical cord routed between said first slip-ringand said electrical power outlet, said second pair of slip-rings andbrushes located at the junction of said drive arm and said drive shaft,and a second piece of electrical cord routed between said secondslip-ring and said first brush, a third piece of electrical cord routedfrom the said second brush to the outside of the device, said thirdpiece of electrical cord connected to a plug, said plug suitable forconnecting to external power means.